VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letter).

Illinois FIRST vital to CTA, state infrastructure

Last week's state budget story "Ryan pork unites candidates" (Metro, Jan. 14) should set off alarms for area commuters and everyone who is concerned about the health of Illinois' infrastructure, roads, schools and transit. While it is good to see gubernatorial candidates from both parties engage in an issues-oriented discussion about how to solve the state's budget problems, it concerns us greatly that some candidates have suggested that the state's vital infrastructure rebuilding program, Illinois FIRST, is a suitable place to start cutting.

Cutting Illinois FIRST projects is a shortsighted suggestion that may give the illusion of a solution, but doesn't actually provide one.

First of all, cutting future capital programs won't solve today's revenue shortfalls. Just as important, such cuts would have devastating long-term consequences. The next governor does not want to inherit a budget full of red ink. But neither does that person want to inherit a state government that has allowed its valuable resources to crumble and decay for lack of investment.

That's the situation that Gov. George Ryan found himself in four years ago because his predecessor did not invest in Illinois or the future. The old adage, "a stitch in time saves nine," is true. Had the prior administration built on Gov. James Thompson's Build Illinois program and invested in the state, then a program of the magnitude of Illinois FIRST would not have been necessary. But it didn't and, as a result, Ryan had to play catch-up. Illinois FIRST was necessary and Illinois residents are all better off for it.

Thanks to the infusion of capital this program provides, Chicago Transit Authority customers have more comfortable, reliable service. It has allowed us to upgrade our bus fleet. By year-end 2003, for the first time ever, our entire fleet will be air-conditioned and accessible to people with disabilities. It has also enabled the CTA to make improvements to rail cars, speeding up the renovation and replacement of older rail cars. Without Illinois FIRST, the CTA would not have been able to embark on its largest capital improvement project ever, the renovation of the century-old Cermak (Douglas) branch of the Blue Line.

Far from "pork," these projects are solid investments that deliver tangible benefits for Illinois residents. Investments made possible by Illinois FIRST have made public transit a more attractive option for commuters. Last year, Illinoisans took more than 600 million rides on public transportation. Ridership on the CTA alone was more than 454 million last year--an increase of more than 8 percent since our low point in 1997.

Illinois FIRST made the CTA improvements possible because it enabled the CTA and other infrastructure, road, school and transit agencies to leverage federal money that would otherwise have gone to other states. And let's not forget that these projects help create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Instead of rushing to cut Illinois FIRST, our gubernatorial candidates should be thanking those who conceived of it and voted for it. Ultimately, Illinois FIRST symbolized a commitment by Gov. Ryan to the people of Illinois and confidence in our future. That's a message our candidates, and future governor, would do well to remember.